DiJonai Carrington had a night to remember on Wednesday, being named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player just hours before helping the Connecticut Sun advance to the semifinals by eliminating Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever from the postseason.
Carrington, known for her grit and versatile play, arrived at Mohegan Sun Arena making a statement, not just with her game but with her fashion. She stunned in a bold red pre-game outfit, then followed up with a solid performance on the court, contributing 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. The Sun’s 101-88 win over the Fever secured their spot in the semifinals, and Carrington’s contributions were crucial.
However, it wasn’t just her on-court success that had fans buzzing. After the game, Carrington shared a heartwarming moment with her girlfriend, Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith, right on the court.
The two WNBA stars have been dating since Carrington transferred to Baylor University from Stanford for her senior year during the 2020-21 season, and their relationship has become one of the league’s most talked-about off-court storylines.
But amid the celebration, Carrington took to social media to show her unwavering support for Smith, who had seen limited minutes in the playoff series. In her post, Carrington expressed her love and encouragement for her partner, but it was a hashtag that caught fans’ attention. The caption read, “#FreeHer,” which seemed to be a message urging the Fever to reconsider Smith’s role on the team or allow her to move on to another opportunity where she could thrive.
This sparked conversations among WNBA fans, as Smith is a highly regarded player who many believe deserves a more prominent role on the court.
Carrington’s “#FreeHer” message came after a frustrating series for Smith, who was limited in her minutes despite her talents as one of the Fever’s brightest young stars. The Fever have struggled in recent years, and some believe Smith hasn’t been utilized to her full potential, a sentiment Carrington clearly shares.
This isn’t the first time Carrington has spoken out on social media regarding the Fever or their fanbase. Earlier in the day, Carrington revealed some of the ugly side of fandom she had experienced, sharing messages filled with vulgar, racist language directed at her. These messages came in the wake of an accidental eye poke during Game 1 of the series when Carrington was defending Caitlin Clark. The incident caused some fans to lash out at Carrington inappropriately, leading to her receiving death threats.
The hateful messages also impacted NaLyssa Smith, who had sent Carrington flowers as a gesture of support after the eye poke controversy. Unfortunately, even this kind act was met with criticism from some Fever fans, further fueling tensions between the couple and segments of the fanbase.
Despite these challenges, Carrington and Smith’s bond has remained strong, with Carrington always standing up for her girlfriend both on and off the court. Now that the Fever have been eliminated from the playoffs, there’s hope that the animosity from some of the fanbase will subside, allowing the focus to return to the positive aspects of the game.
As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, it’s no surprise that with that rise comes an increase in passionate—and sometimes toxic—fandom. While the league is filled with incredible stories of resilience and talent, it is also dealing with the darker sides of social media criticism, as seen in the treatment of Carrington and Smith.
Hopefully, the conversations can shift back to celebrating the talent and stories that make the WNBA so compelling.
For Carrington, her breakout season and Most Improved Player award signal the beginning of what could be a long, successful career.
And for NaLyssa Smith, the offseason may bring new opportunities—whether with the Fever or elsewhere—to showcase her abilities at the level many, including Carrington, believe she deserves.
